While many locals attended Anzac services in Central, some Year 13 Dunstan High School students experienced Anzac Day on a much bigger scale this year. 

The group of 12 history students were at the National War Memorial in Auckland for the dawn service on April 25.

The Dunstan students were part of a crowd of thousands who gathered in the cold outside the Auckland Museum from 5am. 

Dunstan students outside the Auckland War Memorial Museum 

The dawn service was attended by veterans of numerous wars, as well as politicians such as deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni and opposition leader Christopher Luxon.

“It was cool knowing that you were in the same place as all those veterans,” local student Cuillan Barnes said. 

Speeches and wreath laying were followed by a fly-over by a Hercules. 

A Hercules flew over during commemorative speeches

Attending the service was part of a larger itinerary for the students that spanned over six days. 

“The whole trip was a fantastic opportunity to learn about New Zealand's history and then celebrate those who fought for the country. It was a very poignant moment being there,” one student said.